My first LIVE birthday bash last Saturday was a smashing success! We had a great time and I want to again thank everyone who joined me.

In addition to the free Party Favor Gifts that every single party attendee received, three special folks won prizes too.

The winners for the game prizes were:

Avon gift bag from sponsor Christy Klein:  Sarahbelle

Book Choice from author/sponsor Kimm Gollnick: Robin S.

ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income book given by me: Kim M.

Congratulations to all the winners!!

The latest news is a buzz about the ‘Big 3′ (GM, Ford & Chrysler) wanting a government bail-out similar to what the banks recently received. Since my husband is currently a Chrysler employee, and my father retired from Chrysler – this issue obviously resonates with me and my family. It’s near and dear to our hearts – and our livelihood. I want to share mine and my husband’s thoughts on this, but first…

GM recently released a video on the need for a bail-out. Here is that video:

While I believe that the majority of this video to be fact, in regard to their numbers quoted and the overall impact the Big 3 would have on the economy, if they should all fail: I do not agree that they will all fail, nor that the government should give them a bail-out.

From the time I was two years old on, my dad worked at Chrysler. I’ve witnessed the ups and downs in the auto industry. Thankfully my dad had enough seniority to never experience a lay-off, but many of my dad’s friends were not so fortunate. Some were laid off for three years, before they were finally called back to work.

Chicken Little Syndrome

I believe that while GM’s video was compelling, I think it’s a bit presumptuous and premature to say that all three of the big automakers will fail next year. They are implying that without a bail-out, all of them would fold at essentially the same time (in 2009). I seriously doubt that would happen; and Chapter 11 bankruptcy should be considered as a viable option for any or all of these companies. They see trouble looming (and it has been for a long time) and they start crying the sky is falling! Hello – the sky has been falling, and it’s your own doing, wake up!

I personally believe that these companies should first go through Chapter 11 and restructure before even thinking of asking for a bail-out. While the demise of any of these companies would cause a catastrophic ripple effect; neither the fault (nor the guilt) lies with the American people, or the government: it is the fault of the corporate decision-making executives and no one else. They have made poor decisions and mismanaged how funds were spent (million dollar bonuses for executives to stay with the company¹ – is gross mismanagement in my opinion!) and should have been focusing on fuel economy vehicles and/or hybrids years ago.

Chrysler has received a government bail-out once before, when Lee Iaccoca took over. He brought the company from the brink of bankruptcy to flourishing. ²,³ My father worked at Chrysler during that time, and yes, people were laid off and plants closed. Major restructuring took place to keep the company going and to keep at least some jobs, and the ripple effect on the economy, to a minimum. However, I see no moves to bring in someone with Lee Iaccoca’s leadership abilities to help save the big three. They need to bring in better leaders and executives who can make the hard decisions and choices these companies need to turn things around.

If they can not recognize the how and why they got into this position: then throwing good money after bad will not help. Blaming the economy isn’t going to help. They knew the economy was bad and they should have known years ago they needed to change what vehicles they were building. They are in this industry – they should have known and anticipated. This is what good management does. Poor management and planning has gotten these companies in the position they are in – not the wages paid the employees, not the union, not President Bush or anyone else. Tossing around excuses and playing the ‘blame game’ is childish and irresponsible. The ‘Big Three’ have been living large and ignoring good business practice. If they fail – they have no one to blame but themselves.

Should Chrysler fail: it would personally impact my household, as my husband would lose his job. To say that’s not of a concern to us is an understatement, and one would probably expect us to be rooting for a bail-out as quickly as possible. But in all good conscience, we can not. It’s looking very likely that my husband will be taking one of the company’s ‘early out’ offers and doing a voluntary quit. He will accept what pension he had earned for his years of vested service and will begin a new career in another field. Not easy for a man his age; but we would rather be in control of how and when his employment abruptly changes. At least this way, we can plan for it.

So until his last day at Chrysler, we watch the news like everyone else – wondering what the future holds for us, and the Big Three.

¹ Chrysler paying big bonuses to execs who stay

² Lee Iacocca

³ Chrysler

My husband and I have a tough decision to make and could use some prayer, in addition to our own prayers on this. For those who don’t know, my husband works for Chrysler. Read the paper or watch the news and you know that the Big 3 auto makers are hurting.  No bail-outs for them, so it would seem. My husband works in a specialized department within the plant and he does still have a job – for now; but there is only one shift working at his plant, as the second shift was laid off, and the van plant next door is already closed. It is not looking good that they will keep his plant going and it’s expected by those who know this industry (as well as my husband and I), that sometime next year, they will also close his plant. News reports and articles are concluding this plant closing as a possibility some time in 2009.

Apparently last week, while my husband was on vacation, there was a meeting where buy-out packages were announced to all remaining employees.  They don’t offer buy-outs unless something big is going on.  They have offered such buy-outs in the past to get employees to voluntarily leave, with a buy-out amount of funds and their pension still in place, if they’re vested.  In the past, these buy-out amounts were not large enough for us to consider them, as they would not have gotten us debt-free and trying to replace his income elsewhere would not be easy.

Yesterday, my husband read a news article regarding these buy-outs and how much they are offering.  For the first time ever, the amount being offered, for someone with his seniority, is sufficient enough for us to consider.  We could get debt-free (except the house) and have some leftover to live for a few months, while he goes on to other job training to change careers.  They are also offering to maintain our health insurance coverage for one year.  This would be enough time for him to get the additional training he needs to change careers; but more importantly, for me to get my business built-up to where it would need to be.

So specifically we need prayer regarding taking this buy-out, or do we hang in until they close up shop.

Also, we need prayer that I can get my business bringing in enough income to meet or exceed his current income. This would be ideal, then he could help me in my business – or start his own business. We are thankful we have some options and are not fearful over this change on the horizon, we just want to be wise in the decisions we make.

Regardless, we want the Lord’s will to be done.